Design and Development of WeCWI-AI-Enabled Instructional Blog to Improve MUET Writing Performance among Malaysian Undergraduates

  • Soraya Sharifuddin Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, 13500, Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
  • Boon Yih Mah Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, 13500, Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
  • Isma Noornisa Ismail Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, 13500, Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Keywords: WeCWI, Artificial intelligence, Blog, MUET, Writing performance

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development process of the WeCWI-AI-Enabled Instructional Blog, a pedagogical innovation designed to enhance MUET Writing Task 2 performance among ESL undergraduates. Anchored in the Design, Development, and Research (DDR) framework, the study integrates principles from Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI) and an Artificial Intelligence tool (ChatGPT) to improve MUET Writing performance among ESL undergraduates. This instructional blog was designed based on the comprehensive literature review and analysis of the current regulations and test specifications of MUET. In this study, the researcher only applied three phases of the ADDIE model, which are: Analysing, Designing, and Developing (ADD) without implementing and evaluating phases. The design and development phases involved analysis of the Comprehensive Literature Review and the Experts’ Review Form. Expert reviews from language educators and technology specialists provided crucial feedback on pedagogical alignment, usability, and content accuracy. Revisions were made based on their suggestions to enhance technological elements, scaffolding, and alignment with the MUET writing band. This article outlines the iterative development process and emphasises the importance of incorporating expert feedback in refining instructional tools. The findings contribute to the growing body of research on technology-enhanced language learning and underscore the potential of AI-enabled platforms to support high-stakes academic writing tasks.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahuja, V. (2023). Equity and Access in Digital Education: Bridging the Divide. In A. Arinushkina, A. Morozov, & I. Robert (Eds.), Contemporary Challenges in Education: Digitalization, Methodology, and Management (pp. 45-59). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1826-3.ch005

Aidit, N., Fauzi, S., & Perry, E. (2023). Investigation of second language writing anxiety among ESL students in public university. International Journal of Service Management and Sustainability, 8(1), 73–92.

Amreet, K., & Harun, R. (2019). Peer instruction in a flipped learning environment: Investigating ESL students’ critical thinking performance in argumentative essay writing. Journal of English Education and Development, 4(2), 51-70.

Atlas, S. (2023). ChatGPT for higher education and professional development: A guide to conversational AI. University of Rhode Island. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cba_facpubs/548

Bakar, N., & Ismail, K. (2009). Using blogs to encourage ESL students to write constructively in English. AJTLHE: ASEAN Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 1(1), 45–57.

Cheek, D. (2021). Assuring quality in online learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Online Learning, 4(4).

Chen, L., Chen, P., & Lin, Z. (2020). Artificial intelligence in education: A review. IEEE Access, 8, 75264–75278. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2988510

Chowdhury, S., & Siddique, M. (2023). Developing a community of inquiry using an educational blog in higher education from the perspective of Bangladesh. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1302434. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1302434

David, A., Azman, H., & Thang, S. (2018). Investigating online dialogue journal writing impacts on low proficiency students’ writing anxiety. International Journal of Language Education and Applied Linguistics (IJLEAL), 8(2), 71-81.

Dhakal, B. R. (2024). Differentiated instruction: Tailoring learning for diverse learners. Sikshya, 40(54), 167–176.

Edward, E., Kamlun, K., Din, W., & Pudin, C. (2021). Reading difficulties among Malaysian undergraduate ESL learners: A preliminary study. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 6(43), 62–70.

Elega, A., & Ozad, B. (2017). New media scholarship in Africa: An evaluation of Africa-focused blog related research from 2006 to 2016. Quality and Quantity, 52, 2239–2254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0659-4

Fang, W., Sereerat, B.-O., Thongkamsuk, P., & Songsiengchai, S. (2024). The development of an instructional model based on interactive learning theory to improve undergraduate students’ reflection ability. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 13(1).

Ghani, K., & Shing, S. (2019). The relationship between teacher factors and Malaysian undergraduates’ grammatical errors in writing. IDEAS Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 198–211.

Ghani, K., & Paramalingam, M. (2023). A study on the methodology employed by teachers in relation to the undergraduates’ grammatical errors in the MUET extended writing. Globus: An International Journal of Management & IT, 15(1).

Haidari, M., & Katawazai, R. (2020). The use of social media and wikis in teaching writing skills: A review article. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 14(16), 168–179.

Jack, J., & Hashim, H. (2023). A systematic review on the tools used in teaching writing skills in ESL classrooms. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(1).

Karnine, S., Preece, A., Ahmad, I., & Muhammad, S. (2022). A study on difficulties encountered and perception by English as second language (ESL) learners in Malaysian University Examination Test (MUET). Proceedings, 82, 53. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2022082053

Liu, C., Hou, J., Tu, Y.-F., Wang, Y., & Hwang, G.-J. (2023). Incorporating a reflective thinking promoting mechanism into artificial intelligence-supported English writing environments. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(9). https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.2012812

Mah, B. Y. (2015). Web-based cognitive writing instruction (WeCWI): A theoretical-and-pedagogical e-framework for language development. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology: International Journal of Information and Communication Engineering, 9(2).

Mah, B., Ismail, R., Liaw, S., Marimuthu, R., Mohamed, R., & Teck, H. (2017). UiTM students’ writing needs, writing problems, and language courses: A qualitative systematic review of literature prior to WeCWI’s course integration. International Academic Research Journal of Social Science, 3(1), 98–103.

Mah, B., Rahim, S., Marimuthu, R., & Liaw, S. (2021). The effectiveness of WeCWI-enabled web-based instructional tool to improve writing performance and critical thinking level among undergraduate students. IBIMA Business Review, 2021, Article ID 932485. https://doi.org/10.5171/2021.932485

Mah, B., & Cheah, H. (2022). Blogging in the new normal using the WeCWI-enabled blogging manual: A pilot study. International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics.

Malaysian Examination Council. (2018). Laporan peperiksaan STPM 2018 MUET (800). Selangor: Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd.

Malaysian Examination Council. (2020). Laporan peperiksaan MUET (800) 2020. Selangor: Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd.

Malaysian Examination Council. (2021). Laporan peperiksaan STPM 2021 MUET (800). Selangor: Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd.

Mushtaque, Z., Memon, M., Bhatti, S., & Ahmed, Z. (2020). MUET blogging: An integral platform for students’ projects. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 8(5).

Parnabas, J., Areff, A., Baharom, H., Singh, H., & Yusop, Y. (2022). Strength and challenges faced by the pre-university students in extended writing in Malaysian University English Test (MUET). International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 4(3), 140–154.

Picciano, A. G. (2017). Theories and frameworks for online education: Seeking an integrated model. Online Learning, 21(3), 166–190. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v21i3.1225

Raimi, M., Mudhsh, B., Yafaei, Y., & Maashani, S. (2024). Utilizing artificial intelligence tools for improving writing skills: Exploring Omani EFL learners’ perspectives. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(2), 1177. https://doi.org/10.59400/fls.v6i2.1177

Richey, R. C., & Klein, J. D. (2007). Design and development research: Methods, strategies, and issues. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Richey, R., & Klein, J. (2014). Design and development research: Methods, strategies, and issues. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203826034

Rosdiana, S., Nurcolis, M., & Fauzan, M. (2024). The use of artificial intelligence technologies in teaching writing skills. EDUCASIA, 9(1). http://doi.org/10.21462/educasia.v9i1.251

Saad, A. F. (2023). The use of blogs as a dynamic curriculum. International Conference on Studies in Education and Social Sciences.

Setyowati, R., Sari, M., & Habibah, S. (2018). Improving critical thinking skills of students through the development of teaching materials. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 226.

Singh, C., Singh, A., Razak, N., & Ravinthar, T. (2017). Grammar errors made by ESL tertiary students in writing. English Language Teaching, 10(5).

Sharifuddin, S. (2025, February 20). MUETProMax. MUETProMax. https://www.muetpromax.com/

Spanou, S., & Zafiri, M.-N. (2019). Teaching reading and writing skills to young learners in English as a foreign language using blogs: A case study. Journal of Language and Cultural Education, 7(2).

Tahiru, F. (2021). AI in education: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cases on Information Technology, 23(1).

Wobbrock, J., Hsu, A., Burger, M., & Magee, M. (2019). Isolating the effects of web page visual appearance on the perceived credibility of online news among college students. In Proceedings of the 30th ACM Conference on Hypertext and Social Media (HT '19), 7, 17–20. Hof, Germany.

Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education: Where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0

Zeng, S. (2020). The potential of online technology for language learning. English Language Teaching, 13(10).

Published
2025-07-30
Section
Articles